Strong link between illiteracy and unemployment
A conclusion reached at a conference on the promotion of inclusion through adult literacy indicates a strong link between illiteracy and unemployment, the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), the organisers of the conference, said.
ETC statistics show that, as at the end of last May, 14 per cent of job seekers were illiterate. This was made up of 17 per cent of male job seekers and three per cent of female job seekers. This represents a drop of three per cent in the illiteracy rate when compared to three years ago. Illiteracy is most common in the 45 - 54 age bracket.
The illiteracy rate of job seekers aged under 30 stands at 7.6 per cent, the ETC said.
In view of this situation, the ETC has embarked on a number of projects to improve the literacy levels of those seeking employment. Between May last year and this May, the ETC trained 844 people in literacy. The largest number of participants was in the 25-39 age bracket.
ETC provides literacy training in several villages, including its training complex in Ħal Far and the Jesuit Paolo Freire Institute in Żejtun.
The ETC is collaborating with employers to be able to provide training to address illiteracy at the place of work.
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A Daley
Jul 11th 2008, 21:32
A conclusion reached at a conference on the promotion of inclusion through adult literacy indicates a strong link between illiteracy and unemployment, the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), the organisers of the conference, said.
Ha ha ha haj! Ha ha haj - is that so?
So these guys at ETC required to do all this to realise that illiterate people would have difficulty finding a job!
Ha ha ha haj! Ha ha ha haaaaaaa!
Is that where our taxes go?
Joe Martinelli
Jul 11th 2008, 15:38
D Vella wrote, "This suggests that most illiterate people are actually just lazy and there are no prizes for pointing out that laziness does not enhance one's employment prospects" - a rather hasty comment I might add.
If indeed laziness was the underlying factor, in these cases, why did the 'illiterates' get away with their laziness for several years during their school days? Does this not point partly to the lack of 'remedial actions' by the education system?
Teachers are the front line observers for lack of initiative by some pupils and they should report such cases to the headmaster. Specially trained remedial teachers should then help these students and if there is a physical or emotional cause, proper intervention should be commenced by relevant authorities.
DVella
Jul 11th 2008, 11:57
Now there's a no-brainer!! Did it require a statistical survey and a conference to establish this?? With the educatiional facilities available today there isn't much of an excuse for illiteracy, except when medical conditions (such as dyslexia) hamper things!
This suggests that most illiterate people are actually just lazy and there are no prizes for pointing out that laziness does not enhance one's employment prospects. Employers are not stupid and probably recognise that illiterate people are more likely to be lazy, avoid work when they can and are not likely to be the type that strive to enhance their performance and capabilities!
Ramon Casha
Jul 11th 2008, 10:25
Wow! Next thing they'll be telling us that falling in the water gets you wet!